Take Action on Common Core!!!

Do you support the Common Core Learning Standards? Do you oppose them? Do you want to see change?
Our new Commissioner of Education in New York State, MaryEllen Elia, has put out the all-call for our thoughts and opinions. Have you taken time to respond? She wants to hear from all stake-holders and the deadline is tomorrow!!
Log on and share your thoughts:
 www.nysed.gov/AIMHighNY

As an educator who values and supports the Common Core Learning Standards, it is frustrating to read so many derogatory comments and strong opinions about throwing out the common core. I love to participate in rich discourse and have passionate exchanges of opinions with anyone interested on almost any topic. However, my haunting question to any anti-common core opinion is this:
Which standard(s) do you wish to abandon/modify and WHY???
That is exactly the the task put before all New York State citizens in the survey. It is broken down by specific standard and grade level. I took the time to share my thoughts. While I added some suggestions for some modifications, I completed the survey with overwhelming support for developing the skills needed to succeed in life that are embedded in the Common Core Learning Standards.
As I took careful time to read and respond, I kept coming back to questions in my head, "Why, exactly, would someone oppose our students developing this skill? What about this standard would any intelligent adult not see as necessary in education today?"

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.1

Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.8

Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, including the validity of the reasoning as well as the relevance and sufficiency of the evidence.
Why would anyone not think this a necessary part of our students' education? Read and find SUPPORT for your opinion. We have moved into the age of everyone sharing opinions from average citizens via social media and letters to the editor, to politicians to movie and rock stars using their fame to create a platform. Differing opinions and free speech make our country great. BUT, SUPPORTING OUR OPINION with facts is necessary. Teaching our students to take a well-informed stand and to be discerning about the opinions of others is a life skill and MUST be taught.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
This standard speaks for itself. Being proficient in communication skills is necessary and the level to which we hold students accountable for this standard MUST be integral to education. When an 18 year old adult enters society unable to speak and write without basic grammar mistakes, our educational system has let that student down. 

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRS.W.6
Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others.Technology is an absolute must in our educational system today. This standard is a concrete example of a NECESSARY and NEEDED change that came about with the implementation of the CCLS in New York State and across the country. This standard is a life skill that is needed by almost every profession in our world today.

I could go on and on listing standards and defending their importance in the role of educating students to be better-prepared to meet society's needs. But, I believe that most who log on to actually READ the standards would see their value.


I stand firmly behind the Common Core Standards in New York State and across the country as a vehicle to better-prepare our students for life after high school. As a New York State Educator Voice Fellow, I had the privilege of meeting with Commissioner Elia this summer. I am convinced that she will influence meaningful changes in our state. We are already seeing the fruits of her labor with pending changes to the APPR, New York State Assessments and other critical components of our educational system. In our meeting in August, she shared that she was open to modifications to the CCLS and launched the survey as a vehicle for all stake-holders to share their suggestions.
I encourage everyone to take time to read the standards (embedded in the survey) and add specific comments/opinions. THIS IS HOW INTELLIGENT, INFORMED ADULTS CONTRIBUTE TO CHANGE! Let go of the rhetoric and be part of the change!

Thank you to Commissioner MaryEllen Elia for her commitment to open communication with the citizens of New York State as she continues her important work.
THIS SURVEY CLOSES on NOVEMBER 30th! ACT NOW!!